Oehme van Sweden has always paid particular attention to the subtle beauty and strong forms that emerge from the winter garden. After one of the many recent snowfalls that has blanketed the region, the plantings we designed for the Tanger Outlets at the Arches in Deer Park, New York looked beautiful against the thick layer of snow. We hope that the shoppers taking advantage of the post-holiday bargains appreciated the sculptural forms of the plantings as much as we did!

The muted wheat color of the Hakonechloa macra and Pennisetum alopecuroides glowed against the drifts piled in the planting beds, with the dancing and waving forms of the grasses frozen in place by the weight of the snow.

The multi-stemmed trunk of the Magnolia virginiana emerged from its blanket of snow. Partially protected by a glass canopy, it still held many of its leaves.

Magnolia Virginiana (with Rohdea Japonica)

At one of the main entries, the dark seed heads of the Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’ punctuated the bed of Perovskia atriplicifolia. The Japanese tree lilac was silhouetted against the swiftly-moving clouds, bringing attention to the beauty of its form.

Last week, we posted an update to the Martin Luther King Memorial, where the final sections of the Memorial sculpture were recently put in place to much fanfare. Here are our photos from the occasion:

This week, we thought we’d provide a behind-the-scenes look at the work that is going into making the Memorial a remarkable tribute to the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The following are photos from tree planting during the last few weeks at the site:

Proposed tree locations are marked using white flags

Overview of planting beds to be planted before the Thanksgiving Holiday

‘Yoshino’ Cherry trees (Prunus Yedoensis) lined up to be planted on Friday 11/19

At one of Oehme, van Sweden’s current residential projects on the Northern Neck of Virginia, a meadow of native Bluestem grasses, goldenrod and other wildflowers dressed in rich autumnal golds, oranges, and browns meets an existing cordgrass marsh. The 12-acre peninsular estate juts into the Potomac River near its confluence with the Chesapeake Bay. Dale Overmyer Architects’ contemporary “Oyster House” residence is accessed by a long boardwalk that stretches above a natural tidal pool. Few trees remain on this former agricultural land, and OvS is overseeing an extensive native meadow and forest restoration.

Photograph by Larry Weaner Landscape Associates

Earlier this week, OvS Principal Sheila Brady and Associate Marisa Scalera enjoyed a beautiful fall day laying out willow trees, rugosa roses, wax myrtle, and live plants in a seeded, designed meadow with crews from Walnut Hill Landscape Company (landscape contractors) and Larry Weaner Landscape Associates (meadow consultants and contractors). Next week, they return to layout an additional 18,000 native grasses and perennials.

Sheila Brady and Hilary Oat-Judge recently spent two days at the garden with Todd Forrest, Kristin Schleiter and Travis Beck of NYBG laying out some of the final herbaceous plantings in preparation for the Grand Opening.

Oehme, van Sweden has had the pleasure of collaborating with NYBG’s Horticulture team over the past few years to develop herbaceous planting plans to extend the garden’s season of interest beyond the peak azalea bloom time. The incredible topography of the site, dramatic rock outcroppings and towering canopy provide a captivating framework for the azaleas. By introducing a textured perennial layer, the new design will draw visitors in to explore the Azalea Garden throughout the year.

Mark your calendars to visit the Azalea Garden when it reopens in all its glory this May!

Recently, Oehme, van Sweden Principal Eric Groft had the pleasure of revisiting the garden of John and Regina Scully, a project he completed a few years ago. The Scully garden is located high on a Louse Point bluff looking over Gardiners Bay in Amagansett. John and Regina Scully were home having come from their native San Francisco to enjoy the fall color of eastern Long Island.